Students Win Awards at Int'l Model UN

Thawnghmung Leads Group to Conference in London

Three UMass Lowell students won awards and recognition for their outstanding diplomacy, public speaking and negotiation skills at the London International Model United Nations (LIMUN) Conference.

The event was held in February at King’s College in London and attended by more than 1,050 students from 46 countries. The conference promotes learning about international affairs. Students are assigned to represent countries, sit on various committees of the United Nations and debate issues of international concern.

“Our students Eunice Delice, Michael Mizzoni and Tinuviel Lathrop were among the very few from their committees who were recognized at the closing ceremony of LIMUN,” says faculty adviser Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung, associate professor of political science. “Many of the committees had as many as 70 to 80 delegates, the majority of whom were extremely competitive, well-prepared and highly motivated.

“The University of Massachusetts Lowell has undoubtedly left a positive imprint at this international conference, thanks to the exceptional performance of our students.”

Delice, a senior political science student who plans to go to law school, represented the Republic of Senegal on the Human Rights Council.

“For those who underestimate a state school education, please re-evaluate your thinking,” says Delice. “I competed among the best of the brightest students from Belgium, France, London, Indian, Switzerland, Russia, et cetera, and came out on top as a UMass Lowell student.”

Mizzoni, president of the UMass Lowell Student Government Association, represented Afghanistan on the International Atomic Energy Agency. Lathrop, a junior political science major, represented Afghanistan on the Disarmament and Security Council.

Eighteen students from the Dean Bergeron International Relations program (IRC) at UMass Lowell participated in London. The IRC is one of the largest and most successful organizations on campus. Members have won more than 100 individual and delegation awards from national and international conferences over the past 20 years.

Upcoming IRC events include the annual high school Model United Nations conference, slated for April 58 in Wannalancit Mills.

On April 10, IRC students will host a fundraising dinner in honor of Dean Bergeron, emeritus professor of history and founder of the IRC. For information about the event, to be held at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, contact UMass Lowell Alumni Relations at 978-934-3140.